Stamp-affixing machine.



A. W. SMITH.

STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE. APPLICATION, FILED JUNE 24.1916.

1,293,959, Patented Feb. 11, 1919..

2 SHEETS-SHHT I.

A. w. SMITH. STAMP AFFlXiNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24. 1916- 1,293,959 Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

ALFRED WILLIAM SMITH, OF VICTORIA, ENGLAND.

STAMP-AFFIXING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

Application filed June 24, 1916. Serial No. 105,637.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED WILLIAM SMITH, subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at 4 Moreton Terrace Mews, Victoria, in the county of London, England, have invented certain newand useful Improvements'in and Relating to Stamp- Affixing Machines, of which the followlng 1s a specification.

My invention relates to machines for affixing stamps or the like of the type 1n which the downward motion of a plunger operates a slidable water tank to moisten the article to which the stamp or the llke is to be affixed, at the same time drawing forward the end stamp of a series or strip and severing and affixing same to the article at one operation. 7, 1

According to my invention I employ a plunger which when it is depressed operates a lever, causing a water tank to be slid transversely tothe plunger, a wick moistening device at one end being pressedinto contact with and drawn over the surface to which the stamp is to be aifixed. At the same time a swinging arm carrying a pair of grippers which engage the end of a strip of stamps or the like is pressed back so as to draw the strip of stamps forward until the end one reaches a position ready to be severed at the perforations between it and the next upon the strip. The strip of stamps is located in this position during the severing and aflixing operations by means of a bar having teeth which engage in the perforations between some other stamps in the strip. Further motion of the descending plunger causes a knife thereon to sever the end stamp at the perforation between it and the next one, and as soon as this is done the swinging arm will bring the grippers against an abutment causing them to open and release the stamp.

The moistening device has now returned to its original position, leaving the moistened surface exposed so that the plunger when forced down to its full extent will press the stamp firmly upon the moistened surface, causing it to adhere thereto. In order to prevent the knife from damaging the surface to which the stamp is to be aflixed, it is mounted upon the plunger so as to be capable of a limited amount of movement relative to theplunger and means are provided for arresting its downward motion before it comes into contact with the said surface.

A counter is provided on the machine and is adapted to be operated each time a stamp is aflixed, and means are provided to insure a full stroke of the plunger being completed in each direction for each operation. Safety devices are also arranged to prevent tampering with or illicit use of the machine.

In order that my invention may be more readily understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side view-of the stamp affixing machine showing the mechanism in elevation and the casing in section.

Fig. 2 is an underneath plan of the casing showing the damping device and the apertures through which the stamp is pressed upon the article to which it is to be secured.

Fig. 3 is a part sectional elevation of the mechanism taken from the opposite side to Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 is a cross section.

Referring tothe drawings, the plunger 1 is provided at its upper end with a handle or knob 2 and at its lower end is provided a block 3 which acts to press the stamp or the like onto the surface to which it is to be afliXed. The plunger 1 is mounted in a plate a on the upper end of the sheet metal brackets or frame 5, and pins 6 and 7 secured one in each side of the block 3 engages in slots 8 in the frame 5 so as to slide down or up in the slots 8 when the plunger 1 is depressed or raised. Upon one side of the frame 5 the lever 9 is pivoted at 10, and a tongue 11 on the lever 9 projects into the path of the pin 6 on the block 3 of the plunger 1 so that the roller 12 on the pin 6 will, when the plunger is depressed, engage against the tongue 11 and turn the lever 9 about its pivot 10 against the action of the spring 13. To the lower end of the lever 9 is pivoted the link 14., the other end of which is pivoted to the sliding water tank 15 so that as the lever 9 turns about its pivot 10, the water tank 15 will be drawn forward so as to moisten the surface to which the stamp is to be aflixed. As the lever 9 turns about its pivot, the tongue 11 will be pressed to one side until the roller 12 on the pin 6 passes around its end and allows the spring 18 to return the lever 9 to its original position, thus sliding back the water tank 15. 16 is hinged at one end to the link 14, and at the other end to a link 17 pivoted near to the upper end of the frame 5 so that when the lever 9 is forced backabout its.

as to allow the wick 20 to be=1naintained always in a moist condition. At the'rear end of the tank 15 is provided a plug-or stopper 22, through which the: tank. may be refilled.-

On the underside of the extension 18 is provided a short inclined cam face 23 which engages against the edge 24 ofthe base-plate 25 so as to retain the wick 20 in a raised po-. sition when the tank 15 is drawn back.

VVhenIhowever the tank 15 is-drawn forward 1 by the downward operation ofthe plunger 1 the cam face 23 on thebase of the extension 18 of the tank 15 as it slides-over the edge 24- will allow the forward'end of the extension 18 to be lowered'onto the surface over which the machine has been placed, and'the further forward movement-will cause the wick 20 to be dragged over the-surface, moistening same so as'to assure the adhesion of the stamp whenpressed thereon, Inorde'r to insure proper contact of the wick 2 0 with the surface to be moistened, lightsprlngs 26 are mounted upon each side of the frame 5 and their outer ends engage over the upper surface of the water tank 15 so as to'press same downwardly to maintain the wick 20 in Contact with the surface to be moistened.

At the rear end-=of the tank 15 is provided a pair of perforated lugs 27- whichengageover and slide uponthe guide rods-28.

Theroll 29 of stamps or the like is mount;

ed upon a spindle 30 upon a hinged arm 81' pivoted to the base-plate 25 near its rear end so that the roll 29 may be turned'into a convenient. position over the water tank 15. The" end of the strip of stamps or the like passes under a roller '32 mounted in av fixed plat form 5.3 and is pressed upwardly by means.

of a series of light spring strips 34, so that'- the perforations between the end stampand its neighbor will be engaged over sprockets or pro ect1ons on the bar 35 mounted ln'the member 36- has a lever arm 37 rigidly securedthereto, which lever arm 37 is raised" by means of the pin 7 when the plunger 1 is at the top of its stroke so as toturn'the;

A bent arm U-shaped member 35 about its pivot, allowingzthe stampsto -be drawn over the bar 35. As the plunger 1 descends however the lever 37 is released and when the stamps have been drawn forwardthe required distance, the sprockets or projections on the bar 35 drop into the perforations and locate the stamps the arm 40 at 41 ,and is gconnected to the;

arm by meansof springs 42. connected to its lower end 43. The direction of'the pull-of thesespr ngsAQ. is such-that in the: position shownin 1 ig.'-3 the! movable 'jawwill'be heldagainstkthe-fixed jaw 38--so -as to grip.

thevstamp between them, so that when the arm?- 40 is caused to swing-iabout its pivot the end stamp will bedrawninto position ready to .be severed andtfixed to thel moistened surface." The arm 40 is oaused-toturn about its pivot to the desired extent by-meansrof the leveim44qsecured upon the pin 10, upon which't he leverwarm4O is inountech This lever 44 has an BXtGIlSiOIl145-:tQWl1lClTOD6 end of a spring 46 is secured; the-otherend being connected-to a, lug 347:- on 'the frame '5,

so that 1,116 tQIlSlOHtOf:thG.SpIl1Tg 46"tends: to ;turn thenlever armxz44 upwardly "about" the axis 0fwtl1ewp1n"1() and maintains itdni contact with the pin on the: block 3 of the plunger 1. hen; the plungerl is depressed, 1 the: pin: engaging 'iagainstv therlever 44 will 1 press this downward *around'zthe pi-v:ot pin The 10, causingthe arm "40'toalso swing about 1 this: axis i'intil vthepin 17 engagesrirwtherecess 48 in 'the-arm :44:whenfthe end stamp. will have been" brought tto; the required position ready for the .severnigrz'operation. Further downward movement :of the plunger 1 will cause the pin'7 toipres's uporrthe portion-49 of the lever 44, causmg. :the arm 40 to swing farther backward, bringing: the rtail -50 of the. movable edgei=39 of the grippers' into contact wlth a P111551 mounted in theibrackets. 47, thus-turning the-1 jaw v39f about its pivot 41 and .rele'asing the endofthe stamp.

The; jaw 39 will be "turned *about i its pivot 41 to a sufficient extent to causewthe spring 42 to actupon .a line.nponrtheopposite side of the pivot to that previously occupied, so

that thei'jaw39 will-be held away from'the U-shaped member 36 which is pivoted :upon the axle of the roller'32. This U-shaped fixed jaw" 38, leavingwthe grippers open read-yyto engage upon the stamp strip when" returned-to their normal positions The :fiat

surface :52 a ;the e d fthe' arm serves to hold the swinging arm -and-grippers "out tion'of severing and affixing thestamp. On thereturn or upward stroke of the plunger 1, the lever 44 and swinging arm 10 again turn about the pivot 10 under the influence of the spring 46, the fixedjaw 38 engaging under the free end of the strip of stamps. When the end 43 of the movable jaw engages against the wall of the frame 5 as shown in Fig. 3, it will be turned about its pivot 41 until the spring 12 causes the jaw 39 to close upon and grip the end of the strip of stamps ready for againdrawing out a fresh stamp next time the plunger is actuated.

Mounted upon the side of the block 3 which faces the strip of stamps is a knife 53. This knife 53 is connected to the block 3 by means of a pin 54 engaging in'a slot 55 and springs 56 arranged upon the top of the block normally act to press the knife 53 downwardly. As the plunger 1 descends the knife will come in contact with the upper surface of the stamp to be severed and will act together with the edge 57 of the aperture through which the strip of stamps is fed to shear the end stamp from the strip just prior to its being released by the jaws of the gripper uponthe end of the swinging arm 10. When the stamp has been thus severed and released, the downward movement of the plunger continues until the shoulders 58 upon the knife 53 engage over stop pins 59 secured in the frame 5 and which act to arrest the farther downward movement of the knife prior to its coming in contact with the surface to'which the stamp is to be affixed. The block 3 however continues its downward movement and presses the stamp firmly onto the moistened surface of the object to which it is to b affixed.

In order to register the number of stamps which have been affixed by the machine, a counter 60 is mounted upon a bracket 61 and is provided with an arm 62 having a forked end 63 which engages over the pin 7 so that on the downward movement of the plunger 1 the arm 63 will turn about its pivot and operate the counter, while on the return stroke the pin 7 will again engage in the forked end 63 of the arm 62 and return it to the original position. A spring 64 acts between the arm'62'and the frame 5 to retain the arm in a position ready to be the frame 5. Its other end 68 is made V- shaped and a spring 69 engages against the V-shaped end. When this spring 69 engages underneath the V-shaped end 68 as shown in Fig. 3 the plate will be inclined in such a position as to allow the plunger 1 to be pressed downwardly, but if any attempt be made to draw theplunger upward, it will bind in the perforation 66. ll hen however the plunger 1 has reached the bottom of its stroke, a pin 70 thereon will engage upon the upper surface of the plate 65, depressing sameuntil the spring 69 engages over the upperedge of the V-shaped end 68. In this position the plate 65 is inclined downwardly sothat while the plunger is free to be moved upward any attempt to depress it will cause it to bind as before. On reaching the top of the stroke however, the block 3 will come in contact with the under surface of the plate 65, forcing it upwardly until the spring 69 again engages on the underside of the V-shaped end 68, in which position the plunger 1 is again free to be depressed.

The whole of the mechanism is inclosed in a simple casing 71 mounted upon the baseplate 25 and provided with a hinged portion 72 at one end which is adapted to be secured by means of a suitable lock 72*. This hinged portion 7 2 when opened and turned about its hinge allows the pivoted arm 31 to be turned outward for the purpose of placing a new roll of stamps or the like thereon. A safety locking device is also provided to prevent the illicit operation of the machine. This comprises a screw 7 3 having a milled head 74 by means of which it may be rotated so as to cause its hollow end 75 to engage over the pin 7 in the block 3, thus preventing the plunger 1 from being depressed. hen this screw 73 has been thus engaged with the pin 7, the end 76 of the lever arm 77 will be drawn downward by means of the spring 78 so as to engage behind the hollow end 75 of the screw 73, thus preventing it from being disengaged from the pin 7 until the hinged portion 72 of the casing 71 has been unlocked and opened by an authorized person.

The operation of the machine is as follows :On the depression of the plunger 1, the lever 9 is turned about its pivot 10 cansing the wick 20 on the forward end of the water tank 15 to be drawn over and dampen the surface to which it is desired to affix a stamp and farther downward motion of the plunger allows the water tank 15 to be returned to its original position. During this operation the pin 7 will have operated When this position has been reached, sprockets or PlOjGOtlOllSOlItllB bar- 35 engage; lIltllG perforations between the next two stamps on the strip and locate the end stamp :intheposition to enable the descend-- ing lrnife 53 -upon the block 3 tosever it exactly along ythelinemof perforations be tween it and its neighbor. Farther down- Wardmovement of the-plunger now causes the tail-piece 50 upon the movable jaw 39 to engage against the -cross-pin 51 in the frame 5, thus turning the movable jaw about its pivot 41, and releasing the end of thea stamp.-

downward movement, presslng the stamp The plunger now continues on 'its firmly upon the dampened surface, while the knife 53' is arrested and held out-of contact therewithby means ofthe shoulders 58;

which engage against stop pins 59 on the frame 5, thus causing the -kni-fe 53 to slide relatively to the block 3 against the action of the springs 56 which'normally press it downwardly. During this-downward movement of the'plunger the arm 62 on the:- counter 60 has been turnedabout its pivot so as to register the fact that a stamp has been delivered from the-machine. When the the pin 7 will have'againengaged in the forked end 63 of the lever 62 on the counter 60 so as-to return it to its original position. The lever 9 which operates the damping device is loosely mounted upon its pivot pin 10 so as to allow it to move outwardly, and the under surface of the tongue 11 is inclined so as to enable the roller 12 and pin 6 to engageunder and press it outwardly so as to pass by it and reach its original position ready again to actuate it when depressed,

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A stamp afiixing machine comprising a plunger, a wick moistening device adapted'to be drawn over the surface to-which the stamp is to be afiixed, a swinging arm carrying a pair of grippers adapted to engage/the endof the strip of stamps, means for moving the swinging arm so as'to draw the end stamp into position for severing, a knife or cutter upon the plunger adapted to cutsoif the end stamp, means for locating thestrip of stamps so that the end oneis cutrexactly along its line of perforations, a stopadapted to open the grippers after the stamp has been severed, and means for arresting the motion of the knife so as to hold same out of contact with the surface, while a block :upon the endofthe plunger presses theistamp firmly thereon.

2. A stamp affixing machine comprisingincombination a plunger, a imoistening de vice,-,comprising;a water tank having at: its

forward end a downwardly projecting wick adapteduto be maintained-in a moist condition-by the -water in=the tank,la hinged fever having a tongue projecting-aintothe path of a pin upon the plunger,a link con-" nection between the end of the-lever and thewiatertank, guides' upon which the water tank may slide, means for carrying a strip of stamps,-: means associated with said plunger for -:moving saidstrip so-- that the end-stamp is located over the surfaceto which it is to be applied, means associated with said plunger for severing said stamp, said plunger'being movable into a position in which it presses the stamp onto the surface to which it is to be-fixed.

3. A stamp affixing machine-comprising lll'COInblIlatlOn a plunger, a moi-stening de-V vice, comprising a water tank-having at its forward enda downwardly pro ectlng wick ad-aptedto'be maintained in a moist condition by the water in the tank, a hinged lever having a tongue-projecting into the path of a pin upon the plunger, a link connection between the end of the lever and'theiwater tank, guides upon which the-watertank may slide, a spring or springsadapted to press upon the watertank as it is drawn forward so as to maintain the wickin contact with the surface to be moistened and an inclinedor cam-surface upon the underside of the tank to raise the wick when the tank is,

returned to its normalposition, means for carrying a strip of stamps,- means associated with said plunger for moving said stripso thatthe endstamp .is located over the surface to which it is to be applied means associated with said plunger for-severing said stamp, said plunger being movable into a position in which it presses the stamp on to the surface to which it is to be fixed. 7

4. A stamp aflixingmachine comprising in combination a-plunger, aLmoistening-device, means associated with said plunger for moving said inoisteningclevice over the surfaceto which the stamp is to be fixed,

means for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plungerfor moving said strip so that'the end stamp is located over the surface to which it is to be applied,

said means comprising a swinging arm hav ing a fixed jaw, a movable jaw hinged thereto,.spr1ngs adapted to malntain the movable jaw 1n the open or closed position, a tail-,

piece to the movable jaw adapted to contact with an abutment so as to close the jaws upon the end of the strip of-stamps when the;

plunger is in the raised position, a lever cone nected to the swinging arm and adaptedto be actuated by the descending plunger to cause the swinging arm to draw the end stamp to a position to be severed, a stop against which the tail-piece of the movable jaw contacts to release the grippers when the stamp has been severed, and a spring to return the parts to the normal position after the stamp has been affixed.

5. A stamp affixing machine comprising in combination a plunger, a moistening device, comprising a water tank having at its forward end a downwardly projecting wick adapted to be maintained in a moist condition by the water in the tank, a hinged lever having a tongue projecting into the path of a pin upon the plunger, a link connection between the end of the lever and the water tank, guides upon which the water tank may slide, means for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the end stamp is located over the surface to which it is to be applied,said means comprising a swinging arm having a fixed jaw, a movable jaw hinged thereto, springs adapted to maintain the movable jaw in the open or closed position, a tail-piece to the movable jaw adapted to contact with an abutment so as to close the jaws upon the end of the strip of stamps when the plunger is in the raised position, a lever connected to the swinging arm and adapted to be actuated by the descending plunger to cause the swinging arm.

to draw the end stamp to a position to be severed, a stop against which the tail-piece of the movable jaw contacts to release the grippers when the stamp has been severed, and a spring to return the parts to the normal position after the stamp has been affixed.

6. A stamp afiixing machine comprising in combination a plunger, a moistening device, comprlsing a [water tank having at its forward end a downwardly projecting wick adapted to be maintained in a moist condition by the water in the tank, a hinged lever having a tongue projecting into the path of a pin upon the plunger, a link connection between the end of the lever and the water tank, guides upon which the water tank may slide, a spring or springs adapted to press upon the water tank as it is drawn forward so as to maintain thewick in contact with the surface to be moistened and an inclined or cam surface upon the underside of the tank to raise the wick when the tank is returned to its normal position, means for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the end stamp is located over the sur-o face to which it-is to be applied, said means comprising a swinging arm having a fixed jaw, a movable jaw hinged thereto, springs adapted to maintain the movable jaw in the open or closed position, a tail-piece to the movable jaw adapted to contact with an abutment so as to close the jaws upon the end of the strip of stamps when the plunger is in the raised position, a lever connected to the swinging arm and adapted to be actuated by the descending plunger to cause the swinging arm to draw the end stamp to a position to be severed, a stop against which the tail-piece of the movable jaw contacts to release the grippers when the stamp has been severed, and a spring to return the parts to the normal position after the stamp has been aflixed.

7. A stamp affixing machine comprising in combination a plunger, a moistening device, means associated with said plunger for moving said moistening device over the surface to which the stamp is to be fixed, means for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the end stamp is located over the surface to which it is to be applied, means for locating the strip of stamps so that the end one will be severed exactly along its line of perforations comprising a table over which the strip of stamps passes, a series of light spring strips which press the end stamp upward, a hinged member having a crossbar with projections adapted to engage the perforations between adjacent stamps so as to correctly position the end one, a lever connected to the hinged member and adapted to be engaged by a pin on the plunger so as to disengage the projections from the perforations during the feeding of the stamps but which is released so that the projections engage in the perforations and position the strip of stamps during the operation of severing the end one.

8. A stamp affixing machine comprising in combination a plunger, a moistening device, comprising a water tank having at its forward end a downwardly projecting wick adapted to be maintained in a moist condition by the water in the tank, a hinged lever having a tongue projecting into the path of a pin upon the plunger, a link connection between the end of the lever and the water tank, guides upon which the water tank may slide, means for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the end stamp is located over the surface to which it is to be applied, means for locating the strip of stamps so that the end one will be severed exactly along its line of perforations comprising a table over which the strip of stampspasses, a series of light spring strips which press the end stamp upward, a hinged member having a crossbar with projections adapted to engage the perforations between adjacent stamps so as to correctly position the end one, a lever connected to the hinged member and adapted to be engaged by a pin on the plunger so as to disengage the pro jections flom the perforations during the feeding. of the stamps but which is released so that the projections engage in the perforations and position the strip of stamps duringwthe operation of severing the end one.

9. A stamp affixing machine comprising in combination a plunger, amoistening device, comprising a water tank having at its forward end-a downwardly projecting wick adapted to be maintained in a moist condition by the water in the tank, a hinged lever having a tongue projecting into the path of apinrupon the plunger, alink connection between the end-of the lever and the water 1-5 tank, guides upon which the water tank may slide, a spring-or springs. adapted to press upon the water tank as it is drawn forward so as to maintainthe wick in contact with the'surfa'ce'tolie-moistened and an inclined or cam surface upon the underside ofthe tankto raisethe wick when the tank is returned to its normal position, means for carryingra strip'of stamps, means associated with said. plunger for moving vsaid strip. so that: the end stamp is locate-d over the surface to which it is to he "applied, means for locating the strip of stamps so that: the end one. will be severed exactly along its: line o'fwperforations comprising a table over. whichithe strip of stamps passes, a series of light spring strips whichpress the end stamp upward, a hinged member havinga cross-bar with projections adapted to engage the perforations between adjacent stamps so as to. correctly position the end one, a lever connected to the hinged member and adapted to be engaged by a pin on the plunger so as to disengage the projee tions from the. perforations during the feed- 4'0 ing of. the' stamps but which is released so that the projections. engage in the perforations and position the strip of stamps during the operation of severing the end one. 10. A- stamp .afiix'ingmachine comprising in combination a plunger, amoistening device, comprising a water tank having at its forward. end a downwardly projecting. wick adapted to be maintained in-a moist condi tion by the water inthe tank, a hinged lever having .a tongue projecting into the path of a pin upontthe' plungeiga link connection between theend of the lever. andthewater tanlgiguides? upon which the water tank may. slide, means for carrying a strip of stamps, meansmssociated with said plungerfor moving :said strip sothat the end stamp is located over the surfa'ceto which it is to be applied, means for locating the strip of stamps- :so" that the end one W111 be severed exactly along :its line of perforations comprising a table over whichthe strip of stampspassesg a series of lightspring strips which presstheiendu stamp upward, a hinged member havinga cross-bar with projections 6 5 adapted tes engage the perfcraticns between;

adjacent stamps so as to correctly positiori the end one, a lever connected to the hinged member and adapted to be engaged by a pin on the plunger so as to disengage'the pro jectio'ns from the perforations during the feeding of the stamps but which is released sothat the projections engage in the perforations and position the strip of stamps ClIHl-Il-g the operation of severing the'end one.

11'. A stamp afiixing machine comprising in combination a plunger, a moistenii'ig de= vioe, comprising a water tankhalving at it's forward end a downwardly projecting wick adapted tobe maintained in a moist condition by the waterin thetank, a hinged lever having tongue 'projectin into the path of a pinupon th lunger, a lmk connection between the end of the lever and the water tank, guides upon which the water tank may slide, a spring or springs adapted to press upon the water tank as it is drawn forward so as to maintain the wick incontact with the surface to be'moistened and an inclined or cam surface upon theunderside of the-tank to raise the wick when the tank is returned to its normal position, means for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said str-ipso that the end stamp is located; over the surface to which it is to be applied, means for locating the strip of 's'tampsso that the end one will be severed exactly along its line of perforations comprising a table over which the "s'trip'ofstamps passes, a series of light spring strips which pressth'e end stamp upward, a hinged member having across-bar with projections adapted to engage the perforations between adjacent stamps so as to correctly position the end one, a lever connected to the hinged member and adapted to 105 be engaged by a pin on'the plungerso as to disengage the projections from the perforations during the feeding of the stamps but which is'released so that the projections engage in the perforations and position the 11-1 strip of stamps during the operation of severing the end one.

12. A stamp afiiXing machine comprising 1n combinatiton a plunger, a moisteni'ng device,-mean's" associated with said plunger for 11 moving said moistening device over the sur face to which the stamp is to be fixed, means for carrying'a strip of stamps, meansassociated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the end stamp is located over 1-2!) the surface to which it is to be applied, mealisassoc'iated with said plunger for sev ering said'stamp, comprising-a knife slidably mounted on the side of a block secured on the end of the pluiiger, springs on the block 1-25 which normally press the knife downward thereon,- shoulders at each side of the knife and stops pon the frame of the" machine against which the knife contacts-so as to arrest its doWu-Ward movement before it 1 3 8 reaches the surface to which the stamp is to adapted to be maintained in a moist condi tion by the water in the tank, a hinged lever having a tongue projecting into the path of a pin upon the plunger, a link connection between the end of the lever and the water tank, guides upon which the water tank may slide, means for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the end stamp is located over the surface to which it is to be applied, means associated with said plunger forsevering said stamp, comprising a knife slidably mounted on the side of a block secured on the end of the plunger, springson the block which normally press the knife downward thereon, shoulders at each side of the knife and stops upon the frame of the machine againstwhich the knife contacts so as to arrest its downward movement before it reaches the surface to which the stamp is to be affixed while it allows the block to continue downward to press the stamp onto the moistened surface. l

14. A stamp afiixing machine comprising in combination a plunger, a moistening device, means associated with said plunger for moving said moistening device over the surface to which. the stamp is to be fixed, means for carryinga stripof stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the end stamp is located over the surface to which itis to be applied, means associated with said plunger for severing said stamp, comprising a knife slidably mounted on the side of a block secured on the end of the plunger, springs on the block which normally press the knife downward thereon, shoulders at each side of the knife and stops upon the frame of the machine against which the knife contacts so as to arrest its downward movement before it reaches the surface to which the stamp is to be affixedwhile it allows thefblock to continue downward to press the stamp onto the moistened surface.

15. A stamp affixing machine comprising in combination a plunger, a moistening device, means associated with said plunger for moving said moistening device over the surface to which the stamp is to be affixed, means for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the end stamp is located over the surface to which it is to be applied, means for locating the strip of stamps so that the end one will be severed exactly along its line of perforations comprising a table over which the strip of stamps passes, a series of light spring strips which press the end stamp upward, a hinged member having a cross-bar with projections adapted to engage the perforations'between adjacent stamps so as to correctly position the end one, a lever connected to the hinged member andadapted tobe engaged by a pin on the plunger so as to disengage the projections from the perforations during the feeding of the stamps but which is released so that the projections engage in the perforations and position the strip of stamps during the operation of severing the end one, means associated with said plunger for severing said stamp, comprising a knife slidably mounted on the side of a block secured on the end of the plunger, springs on the block which normally press the knife downward thereon, shoulders at each side of the knife and stops upon the'frame of the machine against which the knife contacts so as to arrest its downward movement before it reaches the surface to which the stamp is to be afiixed while it allows the block to continue downward to press the stamp onto the moistened surface, said plunger being movable into a position in which it presses the stamp on to the surface to which it is to be fixed.

16. A stamp affixing machine comprising in combination a plunger, a moistening device, means associated with said plunger for moving said moistening device over the surface to which the stamp is to be fixed, means for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the end stamp is located over the surface .to which it is to be applied, means associated with said plunger for severing said stamp, said plunger being movable into a position in which it presses the stamp on to the surface to which it is to be fixed, means for operating a counter once for each stamp affixed by the machine, and a full stroke device to insure a complete operation of the plunger for each time the counter operating means is actuated, comprising a perforated end to the hinged plate, a spring adapted to engage either under or over the V shaped end so as to maintain the plate in a position to bind on the plunger if the stroke is not completed, and means for tilting the plate at the end of each stroke.

17. A stamp aflixing machine comprising in combination a plunger, a moistening device, comprising a water tank having at its forward end a downwardly projecting wick adapted to-be maintained in a moist condition by the water in the tank, a hinged lever having a tongue projecting into the path of a pin upon the plunger, a link connection between the end of the lever and the water tank, guides upon which tae water tank may slide, means forcarrying a strip of stamps,

, means associated withsaid plunger for mom ing saidsstrip=so that the endstamp is lo- 'cated over: the'surface'to which it is to be applied, means associated with said plunger for severing said stamp,said plunger being movable; into a position in which: it presses the stamp on to the surface to which it is to be fixed,v means for: operating a counteronce for each stamp afiixed by-the-machine,and a full stroke device to insure a complete .operation ofthe plunger for-=each time thecounten-. operating means is actuated, comprising i&' pB1f0I'aiJ8Cl1 V shaped end tothe hinged platega spring adapted -to engage either under r;-0ver*.the V-sha-pedwend so as to maintain: the plateina position to-bind on the 1 plunger if' the 5 stroke is not completed, and means for tilting-the plate at the end of I each 'stroke.

18. A stamp-affixing machine comprising combination a plunger, a-m0istening device, means associated with said plunger for anoving: saidzmoistening device overthe surface to-which-the stamp is to-be fixed, meansforcarrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip-sothattheend stamp is located over-the surfaceto which it is to be applied, said means comprising a swinging arm having a fixed jaw, a" movable jaw hinged thereto,-springs adapted to maintainthe movable jaw inthe open or closed position, a tailpiecevto the movable jaw adapted to contact with'an abutmentso as to close the jaws upon the end ofthe-strip of" stamps when the'plunger is'inthe raised position, a lever connected to the swinging arm and adapted to =be-actuated by-the descending plunger to cause the swinging arm to draw the end stamp, toa position to be severed, a stop against which the -tail-piece of the movable jaw contacts to release the grippers when the stamp has been severed, and a spring to return-the-partsto the normal position after the stampv hasbeen affixed, means for operating 'a' counter once for each stamp afiixed 'by the machine, and a full stroke device to insure a complete operation of the plunger for'each time the counter. operating means is actuated, comprising a perforated V shaped end-to the hinged plate, a spring adapted to engageeither under or over the" V-shaped end so as to maintainthe plate in a position to-bindon the plunger ifv the stroke is not completed. and means' for tilting the. plate a at the end-- of each stroke.

19.A'stamp aiiixing machine comprisiugin combination aplunger, a moistening' device, means associated with said plunger for moving said moistening device over the'surface to'whichth-e stamp is to be fixed. means for 2 carrying astri "of stamps, means associated with saidplunger for moving "said strip so 'Jthflfi'thG end'stamp is located Over the surface to which it'is to. be applied, means for 'locating'the strip ofstamps so that theend one will be-severed-exactlyialong its line of perforations comprising a table over which '-ithe:1strip: of stamps passes,- a series ofrli'ght spring strips which presstheend stamp upward, a hin'gedtmeniber having. a crossbar with projections adapted to engage the perforations betweenv adjacent stampsso as to correctly;position rthesend one, a'ilever connected .to'the hinged member and adapted tmbeiengaged by: a'rpinonithenplungeriso: as to dlsengage the-pro ections from the perforations during thewfeedingiof the stamps but which isv 1released sof that the projections "engage mrthe perforatlons and position the strip ofstamps during theop'eration of severand. a5 fulla'stroke device tov insure a comp'lete operation ofithe plunger for eachtime the 7 counter operating': fmeans is actuated,

comprising a: perforated "V shaped end to :the :hinged "plate, a spring'adapted to engage either under or over the V-shaped end sov asto :maintain the platein' a position to bind on the plungerlif thestroke is-not com pletedgand vmeansi for tilting thesplate Hat "the end: of each stroke.

'20." A stamp affixingw machine comprising in combination a'p'lunger', ai'moistening device, means associated with-said plunger for moving said moistening devicefoverithe sur- "face to'Which the stamp is to be fixed, means for, carrying a strap of.- stamps, .meansassoward thereonyshoulders at-each side *of the "knife and 'stops upon the frameiofxthe machine against whi'ch the knife contacts so as t arrest. its downward movement before 1t reaches the' surface tOWVlIlCll theistamp is to be'aflixed while it allows the block to continue downward to pressthe' stamp .onto the moistened surface, rmeans for operating a "counter once for each-stamp afiixed by "the 1nach1ne', -and a fulli stroke-device to insure a complete operation of the plunger for each time the counter operating :means' is actuated, comprising a perforated V-shaped end to the'hinged plate; a; spring adapted to engage either-under or'ove-r the Veshaped end so as to'maintain' the plate in a position to bind onthe plunger "if thestrokeis not completed, -and means for tiltingthe plate at the end of e'a'chstroke.

face tocwhichtheista'mp is to be fixed, means lever having a tongue projecting into the for carrying a strip of stamps, means asso ciated with said plunger for moving said strip so that-the end stamp is located over the surface to which it is to be applied, means associated with said plunger for severing said stamp, said plunger being movable into a position in which it presses the stamp on to the surface to which it is to be fixed, a safety locln'ng device comprising a hollow ended screwmounted in the casing and adapted to be engaged over the end of a pin projecting from the plunger so as to lock same in position, and a spring pressed lever adapted to engage behind a collar on the hollow ended screw to prevent it being disengaged unless the casing is unlocked and opened.

22. A stamp affixing machine comprising in combination a plunger, a moistening device, comprising a water tank having, at its forward end a downwardly projecting wick adapted tobe maintainedin a moist condition by the water in thetank, a hinged path of a pin upon the plunger, a link connection between the end of the lever and the water tank, guides upon which the water tank may slide, means for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the end stamp is located over the surface to which it is to be applied, means associated with said plunger for severing said stamp,

said plunger being movable into a position in which it presses the stamp on to the surface to which it is to be fixed, a safety locking device comprising a hollow ended screw mounted in the casing and adapted to be engaged over the end of a pin pro jecting from the plunger so as to lock same in position, and a spring pressed lever adapted to engage behind a collar on the hollow ended screw to prevent it being disengaged unless the casing is unlocked and opened.

23. A stamp affixing machine comprising in combination a plunger, a moistening device, means associated with said plunger for moving said moistening device over the surface to which the stamp is to be fixed, means for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the end stamp is located over the surface to which it is to be applied, said means comprising a swinging arm having a fixed jaw, a movable jaw hinged thereto, springs adapted to maintain thethe end stamp to a position to be severed, a stop against which the tailpiece of'the movable jaw contacts to release the gripfor moving said moistening device over the surface to which the stamp is to be fixed, means for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the end stamp is located over the surface to which it is *to be applied, means for locating the strip of stamps so that the end one will be severed exactly along its line of perforations com- [prising a table over which the strip of stamps pass, a series of light spring strips which press the end stamp upward, a hinged member having a cross-bar with projections adapted to engage in the perforations between adjacent stamps so as to correctly position the end one, a lever connected to the hinged member and adapted to be engaged by a pin on the plunger so as to disengage the projections from the perforations during the feeding of the stamps, but which is released so that the projections engage in the perforations and position the strip of stamps during the operation of severing the end one, a safety locking device comprising a hollow ended screw mounted in the casing and adapted to be engaged over the end of a pin projecting from the plunger so as to lock same in position, and a spring pressed lever adapted to engage behind a collar on the hollow ended screw to prevent it being disengaged unless'the casing is unlocked and opened.

25. A stamp aifixing machine comprising in combination a plunger, a moistening device, means associated with said plunger for moving said moistening device over the surface'to which the stamp is to be fixed, means for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the endstamp is located over the surface to which it is to be applied, means associated with said plunger for severing said stamp, comprising a knife slidably mounted on the side of a block secured on the end of the plunger, springs on the block which normally press the knife pers when the stamp has been severed, and

downward thereon, shoulders at each side of the knife and stops upon the frame of the machine against which the knife'contacts so as to arrest its downward movement before it reaches the surface to which the stamp is to be aflixed while it allows the block to continue downward topress the stamp onto the moistened surface, a safety locking device comprising a hollow ended screw mounted in the casing and adapted to be engaged over the end of a pin project ing from the plunger so as to lock same in face to which the stamp is to be fixed, means 7 for carrying a strip of stamps, means associated with said plunger for moving said strip so that the end stamp is located over the surface to which it is to be applied,

means associated with said plunger for severing said stamp, said plunger being movable into a position in which'it presses the stamp on to the surface to which it is to be fixed, means for operating a counter once for each stamp aflixed by the machine, and a full stroke device to insure a complete operationof the plunger for each time the counter operating means is'actuated, com-- prising a perforated V-shaped end to the hinged plate, a spring adapted to engage either under or'over the V-shaped end so as to maintain the plate in a position toflbind on the plunger if the stroke is not'completed,

and means for tilting the plate at the end of 40 each stroke, a safety locking device comprising a hollow ended screw mounted in the casing and adapted to be engaged over the end of a pin projecting from the plunger so as to lock same in position, and a spring 45 v pressed lever adapted to engage behind a collar on the hollow ended screw to prevent it being disengaged unless the casing is unlocked and opened. a

ALF-RED WVILLIAM SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be' obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. i i 

